Nearly four in 10 male workers at Amazon say they would accept a Leap Year marriage proposal – as a unique new poll reveals that modern-day Brits believe the tradition should live on.
A survey of Amazon’s 70,000 UK employees reveals their views on dating and relationships today in its Chatterbox series, which explores opinions behind the scenes at one of the nation’s most diverse workforces. February 29, which happens only once every four years, was once the only day that women were ‘permitted’ to break with tradition and propose to their male partners. Yet despite more up-to-date attitudes in today’s society people are still happy to nod to a custom that dates back 1,000 years. Not only do 57 percent of people still support the tradition, 27 percent of women are considering getting down on one knee to pop the question to their partner.
This Leap Day, HR Business Partner at Amazon, Olivia, 24, wants women to feel empowered to do whatever they want. She said: “It’s 2024 – women should obviously feel comfortable proposing to men. The 29 February is a well-known cultural moment, so it’s not a bad time to do it. But ladies, if you want to marry your partner and you’ve discussed it as a real possibility, just propose to them.
“No one is saying this is your only possible opportunity – it’s just a bit of fun. It totally depends on the relationship that you have with your partner, and if people want to do it, then all power to them!” The tradition once had a legal basis in Scotland and England, as 29 February was not a ‘legal day’, meaning a law barring women proposing did not apply during a leap year.
Nearly four in 10 men who took part in the research would be up for being proposed to on Leap Day, while only 27% think it is ‘outdated’. Sophie, an Area Manager at Amazon, is not a fan. She said: “I know I could propose if I wanted but I genuinely appreciate the tradition of being proposed to. My boyfriend has a joke though that every time I mention getting married, he pushes the proposal back a month. At this rate he’ll be popping the question when we’re retired.”
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It's a tradition Amazon staff think should live onA new ‘tradition’ that has emerged in the last decade is that of the Very Public Proposal – the pre-planned, Insta-worthy ceremony where the only surprise is how many likes you get. A huge 80% would prefer a more traditional, private affair, but there is some regional disparity in how public your proposal should be. Nearly three in 10 (29%) people in Derby were keen for an extravagant, public display of affection – 10% more than the national average, and three times the number in Glasgow, which was the city least likely to want a public proposal.
Amazon’s workforce is one of the UK’s most diverse, brimming with stories from a huge range of backgrounds that it is telling in a series of behind-the-scenes videos supported by research that has been praised by research experts for its unique value. Of the 5,000 Amazon workers who took part in the survey, 69% were born outside the UK. This is four times the number in the general UK population (14.8%). With 108 nationalities represented, the data is a true celebration of diversity, providing a unique window into the opinions of people who call the UK home but were not born here. Nearly three quarters (73%) of Amazon workers in the UK speak at least two languages – and of that, 27% speak three.
Six rules to getting your Leap Year proposal right, by relationship coach Jo Hemmings
February 29 is traditionally a day when women propose to men – supposedly their only opportunity to do so in four years. Here are my top tips on everything surrounding a proposal from questions you need to ask before making the commitment to how to announce your engagement in the digital-heavy world we now live in.
- Make sure your lifestyle values are aligned – as well as discussing what you’d like from the wedding itself, it’s important that you’re on the same page about factors like finance, having children and long-term commitment.
- Think about the proposal and work out whether your partner would prefer a big showy, public proposal or a more private, intimate proposal. It’s as much about them as it is you.
- Consider whether your partner would like an out-of-the-blue surprise proposal or something which is more considered and pre-planned.
- Don’t drop hints on social media before you’ve told your friends and family, you may get questions or premature messages of congratulations.
- If you’re worried about the ring then propose with an alternative ring for now, or something that you know can be exchanged for something they prefer.
- Tell both sets of parents first before anyone else. Lovely for the both of you to do it together in person if you can, but if they live too far away then do it via a video communications platform so it feels more personal.
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